Transferring USDC on Base: Everything You Need to Know About Fees

When transferring crypto, often one of the first questions that comes to mind is: what are the fees? Unlike traditional Ethereum transfers, which can

When transferring crypto, often one of the first questions that comes to mind is: what are the fees? Unlike traditional Ethereum transfers, which can exceed tens and even hundreds of dollars, transferring USDC on Base can incur zero fees.

This is very appealing for obvious reasons. Now, the next question is - are they always free? Well, like I said - they can be. Coinbase’s Wallet app, specifically in Simple Mode, allows you to take full advantage of this feature, and you get instant and cost-effective transactions.

But let’s take a closer look at this fee-less environment and its impact.

Key highlights:

Overview of gas fees on the Base network

Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution designed to improve transaction efficiency and reduce costs. Transactions on Base generally incur two types of fees:

Both fees are subject to change based on network conditions:

Typical costs for transferring USDC

While exact fees can vary, typical costs for transferring USDC on the Base network are:

If we compare it to ETH transfers, transferring ERC-20 tokens like USDC generally requires more gas compared to simple ETH transfers. For instance, an ETH transfer might consume about 21,000 gas units, whereas an ERC-20 token transfer could require between 45,000 to 65,000 gas units.

Zero-fee USDC transfers on Coinbase

Zero-fee USDC transfers are a hallmark feature of Coinbase’s Base network, allowing users to send and receive USDC without incurring typical blockchain transfer fees.

When transferring USDC on the Base network, you won’t have to worry about extra fees. This is because the network is designed to provide free USDC transfers, exclusively available through the Coinbase Wallet app under Simple Mode.

Coinbase Wallet is featured as one of the top Web3 wallets in 2025.

This way, you can bypass the traditional Ethereum transfer fees. The Base network’s zero-fee transfers are exclusive to Coinbase’s layer-2 network, and it’s a specialized feature in the blockchain ecosystem.

Even if you were to transfer USDC via another network that’s not Ethereum, such as Solana or BNB, you would still need to pay gas fees. True, they’d be cheaper than Ethereum, but they’d still exist. With Base, that’s not the case.

The absence of transaction costs puts the Base network in a unique position. Simply put, when you transfer USDC on the Base network using Coinbase, you don’t incur any fees.

Impact of zero fees

The main, glaringly obvious impact is that you don’t have to pay anything for transactions. This is particularly beneficial for smaller transactions where traditional fees could represent a big percentage of the total amount transferred.

But apart from the financial incentive, with zero fees, you experience faster and more efficient transactions, so your overall user experience is better. This doesn’t just simplify your financial management, but it also incentivizes higher transaction volumes on the Base network. It’s good news for liquidity and user engagement.

Also, zero fees support the adoption of USDC as a preferred stablecoin for users seeking to minimize transaction costs, while setting up the Base network as a preferred network, especially for Coinbase users and those who make frequent transfers in USDC.

FAQ

Are the fees for transferring USDC on the Base Network always zero?

USDC transfers on the Base network can be free when using Coinbase Wallet’s Simple Mode. However, outside of this specific mode or platform, standard gas fees may apply depending on network conditions.

How do Base network fees compare to Ethereum fees for USDC transfers?

Base network fees are significantly lower than Ethereum's, with typical L2 execution fees around $0.007 and L1 security fees depending on congestion. In contrast, Ethereum fees can range from $10 to $100 or more during peak times.

What are the benefits of zero-fee transfers on the Base network?

Zero-fee transfers are completely free and improve transaction speed, particularly for smaller amounts. They also encourage the adoption of USDC and the Base network.

The bottom line

You can transfer USDC on the Base network at zero cost, which is a very attractive option for managing your digital assets.

Utilizing Coinbase Wallet’s Simple Mode, you can take full advantage of this feature for instant, free transactions. This eliminates financial barriers, makes transactions faster, and improves the overall user experience.

Want to explore other low-fee exchange options? Here is a list of the best no-fee crypto exchanges to help you save as much as possible when investing in crypto.